At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engineering teams to deliver innovative digital experiences for our customers.
- Company: Join AJ Bell, a top UK investment platform with a people-first culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holiday, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Hybrid role based in Manchester with a focus on collaboration and team culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on how hundreds of thousands invest while shaping engineering strategy.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in software engineering and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
Ready to lead the next evolution of one of the UK’s leading investment platforms? AJ Bell is seeking a Director of Engineering to set engineering direction and build high performing, product aligned teams delivering secure, reliable and innovative digital experiences that help our customers feel good investing. This is a high impact, hands on leadership role.
You’ll partner with senior leaders, Product and Design to define the engineering strategy, strengthen delivery and operational excellence, and evolve an Agile, outcome focused, backlog led model. Through our Heads of Department, you’ll create clarity and consistency in standards, security and regulatory compliance, while building a culture of ownership, learning and continuous improvement across our services.
Why this role at AJ Bell
- Lead a modern engineering organisation at scale, with clear executive sponsorship and the ability to influence platform wide direction.
- Work on products that directly impact how hundreds of thousands of customers invest, balancing pace with resilience, security and regulatory expectations.
- Invest in ways of working data led performance, engineering excellence, developer experience, AI enabled tooling and automation.
- Join a people first culture that values inclusion, development and long-term career growth.
What You’ll Do
- Set the engineering vision, translating AJ Bell’s strategy into a clear, measurable roadmap and operating plan.
- Build and sustain high performing teams by coaching engineering leaders, strengthening structure, and creating the conditions for speed, ownership and quality.
- Partner across Product, Design and senior stakeholders to align priorities, manage trade-offs and accelerate outcomes.
- Own delivery outcomes across multiple teams, setting goals, removing blockers, improving predictability and ensuring consistent execution.
- Evolve modern engineering practices, using AI, automation and DevOps to streamline delivery and shorten cycle times.
- Ensure services are reliable, secure and compliant, driving performance, resilience, observability and regulatory adherence.
- Lead key external integrations, partnering with vendors to deliver high quality, well governed capabilities.
What We’re Looking For
- We’re looking for a strategic, technically credible leader with a track record of building great engineering organisations and delivering complex change.
- Proven experience leading software engineering teams in complex environments; experience within FCA regulated financial services is a plus.
- Strong knowledge of modern platforms and delivery practices (cloud native architectures, DevOps, CI/CD and automated testing).
- Experience shaping technology strategy, running multiple teams, and delivering high quality outcomes through clear prioritisation and governance.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the credibility to engage at Board level and explain complex topics clearly to non-technical audiences.
- Demonstrable impact improving operational efficiency, engineering standards and team engagement.
- A passion for outcome driven delivery, continuous improvement and pragmatic innovation.
Technical expertise we value
- .NET, Angular/React/Vue, AWS (or equivalent cloud platforms), test automation, microservices, APIs and object oriented programming.
About AJ Bell
AJ Bell is one of the UK’s fastest growing investment platforms, serving over 723,000 customers and managing £108.7 billion in assets. Through our award winning platform, we make investing simple, transparent, and enjoyable, helping people feel good investing. With 1,500+ employees across Manchester, London, and Bristol, we’ve been recognised as one of the UK’s Best 100 Companies to Work For six years running, as well as a Great Place to Work® in 2025 and 2026.
What We Offer
- Competitive starting salary
- 28 days holiday, increasing to 31 with length of service plus holiday buy/sell scheme
- Pension scheme with up to 8% matched contributions
- Discretionary bonus
- Buy As You Earn (BAYE) share scheme
- PMI, and health cash plan
- Free onsite gym, cycle to work scheme, and travel loans
- Enhanced parental leave (tiered on length of service)
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Professional development, ongoing technical training, and qualification support
- Social calendar including monthly payday drinks, summer party, Christmas party
This is a Manchester-based hybrid role, with a minimum of 50% of working time spent in the office each month. Beyond this, we’re looking for someone who is genuinely present in the business, building relationships, understanding our teams, and embedding themselves in our culture. This role will suit someone who values visibility, connection and being close to where decisions and collaboration happen.
Inclusion & Diversity
We’re committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels respected and able to be themselves at work. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and make hiring decisions based on skills, experience and potential.
Director of Software Engineering in Manchester employer: Aj Bell
AJ Bell is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee development and well-being. As a leader in the investment platform sector, we provide our team with competitive benefits, including generous holiday allowances, a robust pension scheme, and opportunities for professional growth, all within a vibrant Manchester setting that fosters collaboration and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Software Engineering in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage with online communities. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Director of Engineering role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by practising common questions and scenarios specific to engineering leadership. Think about how you’d tackle challenges like team dynamics or project delivery – it’ll show you’re ready to hit the ground running!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for innovation and continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss how you've implemented modern practices like DevOps or AI in previous roles. This will demonstrate your alignment with AJ Bell’s vision for engineering excellence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Software Engineering in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Director of Software Engineering role. Highlight your leadership experience and technical expertise in areas like cloud platforms and DevOps.
Showcase Your Impact:When detailing your past roles, focus on the tangible outcomes you've achieved. Use metrics where possible to demonstrate how you've improved operational efficiency or team engagement, as this will resonate well with us.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to explain complex topics, especially if you're discussing technical aspects. Remember, we want to see your communication skills shine through!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. This ensures it reaches the right people and gives you a chance to explore more about our culture and values while you're at it!
How to prepare for a job interview at Aj Bell
✨Understand the Engineering Vision
Before your interview, make sure you fully grasp AJ Bell's engineering vision and how it aligns with their overall strategy. Be prepared to discuss how you would translate that vision into a measurable roadmap and operating plan.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Director of Software Engineering, your leadership style is crucial. Think about examples from your past where you've built high-performing teams and fostered a culture of ownership and continuous improvement. Be ready to share these stories during your interview.
✨Prepare for Technical Discussions
Brush up on your technical knowledge, especially around .NET, cloud platforms, and modern delivery practices like DevOps and CI/CD. You might be asked to explain complex topics clearly, so practice breaking down these concepts for non-technical audiences.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
AJ Bell values strong communication and stakeholder management skills. Prepare to discuss how you've successfully partnered with product and design teams in the past. Think about how you managed trade-offs and aligned priorities to accelerate outcomes.
